Obituaries

Over 2018, the Australian Association mourned the loss of eight Members. We record the life stories of eight Members here: John Sprouster OAM, Giorgio Masero AM, Dr Harry Crock AO, Alick Peter Haddad, Julia Lane, Father Peter Galvin O.P, Kevin John Croagh AO, and Dr Terence Farrell.

JOHN SPROUSTER OAM KMG (1933 – 2018)

We were all saddened by the passing of Confrere John Sprouster OAM after a long illness. His funeral on 7 November last year was ably attended by a cavalcade of robed Order members at St Peter Chanel Church, Hunters Hill.

John had a long and meritorious business career, was a leading light of the ‘Australian for Quality’ initiative and at one stage ran the Australian Quality Council. John was very much a pioneer in this field and his advice was sought and implemented by many leading businesses and institutions including the Ford Motor Company Australia.

From 1974, John was Managing Director of Nashua Australia. In the early 1970s, this competitive environment challenged the viability of goods and services produced in Australia. He was part of Nashua Corporation’s worldwide drive to learn the philosophy of Total Quality Control. In 1984, he authored best-selling book TQC: Total Quality Control – The Australian Experience. The book, endorsed by thenPrime Minister R.J. Hawke, explored how Australian companies were achieving extraordinary results with a new philosophy and exciting techniques that dramatically improve quality, competitiveness and productivity.

DR GIORGIO MASERO AM KMG (1920 – 2018)

Confrere Dr Giorgio Masero passed into eternal life in his 99th year. He was a founding member of the Order in Australia, becoming a Knight of Magistral Grace on 14 March 1975.

Giorgio played a profound role within the South Australian Italian community post-World War II. In the 1950s, he conducted Italian language classes to strengthen family and community life at a time when assimilation was the prevailing policy and speaking in a second language was discouraged, particularly among young Italians.

In 1962, Giorgio established the Dante Alighieri Society in South Australia, which provided a cultural and intellectual dimension, not otherwise available to both the long established Italian community, and the large number of new arrivals.

John was an active parishioner at several parishes over the years. One of his specialities was the landscaping of church grounds, and helping run the parishes. This included the Holy Family parish Lindfield during the 1970s, St Peter Chanel parish Hunters Hill during the 1980s, and Maria Regina parish Avalon from 1990 to 2000s.

John eventually retired to Whale Beach with his wife and best friend Pam, yet remained active in supporting community projects, readily volunteering his services.

He became a Knight of Magistral Grace in 1995, served as Chairman of the New South Wales branch of the Australian Association, was awarded the Cross of Merit in 2005 for his major contributions to the Order and was also decorated with an award within the Order of Australia.

John could well be described as a very gentle gentleman, strong in his Catholic faith, a wonderful husband to Pam, a very caring and supportive father, grandfather and great at giving parties. He remained very active in supporting community projects, readily volunteering his skills and

For the great majority of these families emerging from war-torn Italy to a new land far from home, the going was tough. Many regional clubs were formed. In 1970, Giorgio was a leader in the fundraising campaign to establish the Department of Italian at Flinders University.

The maintenance of a living language which would see Italian teachers, doctors, lawyers and other professionals able to serve their clients with a technical grasp of their

talents. For instance, John was always to be seen as a marshall at Whale Beach after the renowned annual ocean swim from Palm Beach. He also led the effort to establish BBQs at Gorman House, a detoxification unit within St Vincent’s Hospital. This signature NSW charitable work has not only endured till today, but has extended to Tierney House, which looks after the homeless during medical treatment. Members all found John’s humble ways of service very much in line with how the Order’s charism is practiced. He was loved by all and members of the Order were with him in spirit during his extended illness.

first language.

Inspired by his deep faith, Giorgio devoted his life to the service of others, particularly through the creation of educational opportunity and cultural endeavours. He was a visionary, cultured, and a compassionate man.

A family tribute at the time of his passing beautifully sums up Giorgio’s long and devoted life:

“Our beloved Zio Giorgio was hardworking, affectionate, devout and kind man who will be dearly missed by a large and close family.”

Giorgio’s wife Rachelina predeceased him.

DR HARRY CROCK AO KMG (1928 – 2018)

Confrere Dr Henry (Harry) Vernon Crock AO passed into eternal life on 21 April, 2018. Harry became a member of the Order of Malta as a Knight of Magistral Grace on 21 April, 1978.

On the same day, Harry’s wife Carmel, also a Doctor of Medicine, was admitted into the Order of Malta. Their medical careers together had already brilliantly served the care of the sick in the complex area of lumbar surgery.

Harry, an identical twin, was born on 14 September 1929 in Perth, where, with his brother Gerard, was educated by the Jesuits. Later, they both studied Medicine at Melbourne University and were awarded high prizes in their medical course. Harry won a Nuffield Scholarship to Oxford and lectured in Orthopaedics at Oxford University.

He produced all his own clinical and research photographs. His visual images depicting bone and vascular systems were exquisitely beautiful, and those of dissections are recognised as invaluable to anatomists across the world. Some remain on display at St. Vincent’s Hospital in the Department of Surgery in Melbourne.

Through his research, Harry contributed to improved spinal surgery techniques. His five books on spinal surgery and anatomy have become essential reading for trainee surgeons.

With two young children, Harry and Carmel returned to Australia in 1961 when he was appointed Senior Honorary Orthopaedic Surgeon and Professorial Associate at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Harry was in charge of an orthopaedic department specialising in spinal surgery, a post he held for the next 25 years.

ALICK PETER HADDAD KMG (1937-2018)

Confrere Alick Peter Haddad dedicated his life to the service of others. This included his beloved family and friends, clients and professional colleagues in the pharmacy group he founded, and so many others. Alick’s deep faith guided and inspired him throughout his life.

He joined the Order of Malta in 2004 and was active in many of the Order’s works. For many years he procured, packed and arranged the transportation of large quantities of medicines and hospital equipment to clinics in Timor-Leste supported by the Order. Collaborating with Confrere David Scarf, the Order’s then Ambassador to Timor-Leste, they were able to provide life saving medicines to remote clinics and urban communities.

Alick played an active role in the development of the pharmacy profession in South Australia, and nationally.

In 1986, Harry and Carmel returned to England where Harry took up the position of Consultant Spinal Surgeon at the Hammersmith Hospital in London, serving until his retirement in 2000.

Harry received academic and professional recognition and civic honours throughout his four-decade career. Among these, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1984 and appointed Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1997. He was awarded a Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) by Melbourne University in 2008 for his contributions to surgery, the first and only surgeon to date to receive this honour.

Harry’s patients were often poor migrant labourers who suffered from back pain and sciatica, spoke little English and had scant knowledge of the Australian legal system. He treated them with kindness, understanding and care, helping many avoid a life of disability and chronic pain. Harry also became a skilled expert witness for those injured in work-related accidents. In 1991, he made history in a Victorian Supreme Court trial, becoming the first witness to use video conferencing to give evidence overseas.

Harry was an avid collector of fine art

The Haddad Pharmacy Group established a specialist service to provide care for the aged and those at the end of life, whether they be hospitalised in residential care or at home.

Alick was a keen sportsman and follower of sport. Illness prevented him from attending the 2017 Melbourne Cup, the first he had missed in 50 years. He took great delight in watching his grandchildren play sport and supported their schools.

Alick is survived by his wife Anne and four children Thomas, Mary-Anne, Matthew, Sarah, and their families.

St Laurence’s Church at North Adelaide was overflowing with mourners who attended the requiem mass for the repose of Alick’s soul. and befriended many of Australia’s great artists. He also enjoyed music and theatre. Simple pleasures such as attending the Woodend Arts Festival each year, once back in Australia, replaced the theatrical delights he had experienced in London.

Harry and Carmel returned to Australia in 2002, following their retirement from surgical practice. In these later years, Harry enjoyed spending much of his time with his family. He is survived by his wife Carmel, their five children – Catherine, Elizabeth, Carmel, Vernon and Damian, their partners, and 15 adored grandchildren.

Confrere Harry, in his lifelong outstanding medical and surgical career, was the perfect embodiment of the 900 year Charism of the Order of Malta to serve “Our Lords the Sick and the Poor”. May his soul rest in peace.

JULIA LANE DMG (1927 – 2018)

Consoeur Julia Lane DMG passed away on 7 July, 2018.

She was a woman of courage, resilience, optimism, and above all Faith.

Julia was born immediately before the onset of the Great Depression. Not many years before that economic catastrophe, her father served in World War I in Belgium and France. Just before Julia commenced at All Hallows School in Brisbane, World War II broke out.

Given the school’s prime position overlooking the city, there was fear that the Japanese might bomb All Hallows. As such, the Sisters of Mercy decided to evacuate the school. Not all parents were happy with that decision, many preferring to keep their daughters at home.

Julia’s father, however, was ahead of his time. He was a passionate believer in the importance of education for both boys and girls. He insisted that Julia not miss a day of school, so she ended up boarding for a period at Stanthorpe where part of All Hallows had been evacuated.

Her time at All Hallows marked the commencement of the Lane family’s long and enduring association with the Sisters of Mercy, with Julia’s two daughters and six of her granddaughters later attending the school. Julia was also involved with the All Hallows Past Pupils’ Association, including several years as President.

FATHER PETER GALVIN O.P (1938 – 2018)

After graduating in 1944, Julia was among the few women of her generation to attend university. She studied a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Music at the University of Queensland.

On 22 September 1953, she married the love of her life Daniel Lane, who went on to become a prominent surgeon in Brisbane, operating principally out of the Mater Hospital. They were married in the Chapel of the Choir in St Peter’s Basilica, arranged by an Augustinian family friend.

They had a marvellous marriage until Daniel passed away on 28 July 1972. Julia, at 45, was left a single parent to raise eight young children aged between three and 14.

To help keep income coming through the door, Julia did a refresher course at night to re-qualify as a music teacher. She would drive from Coorparoo across town to Kelvin Grove Teachers College for nightly lectures. Her energy and ability to multi-skill was incredible.

If there was ever one certainty in Julia’s life, it was her faith. Her Catholic faith sustained her throughout the various challenges she faced on her own.

Father Peter Galvin O.P. was born on 12 December 1938 in Adelaide, South Australia, and was educated at Rostrevor College in the care of the Christian Brothers. He entered the Dominican Order in 1957 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1964. He taught at Blackfriars Priory School in Adelaide. Thereafter, Fr Peter taught moral theology at the Dominican House of Studies in Canberra.

In May 1972, to his great surprise, Fr Peter was elected as the third prior provincial of the Assumption Province of the Dominican Order (embracing Australia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea).

In July 1974, Fr Peter was appointed as a Magistral Chaplain of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. This took place before the Australian Association was formally established in September 1974. His appointment reflected the role of the other members of the Galvin family, including Sir John Galvin, former Hospitaller of the Order, Ambrose Galvin, and his sister Mary Galvin, both of whom joined the Order before it was formally established in Australia.

At the age of 33, the youngest Dominican provincial in the world, Fr Peter was elected to a second term in August 1976. He had the difficult task of presiding over the re-organisation of the studies system in the Province. This involved closing the Studium Generale in Canberra, and affiliation with the Melbourne College of Divinity (now the University of Divinity) through the Yarra Theological Union in 1974. He also held the positions of President of the Conference of Major Clerical Superiors and Vice-President of the National Council of Religious of Australia.

Julia was admitted into the Order in October 1992 and played an active and influential role in the development of the Order in Queensland while it was still in its formative years.

Even in her twilight years, relying on others for transport, she was a regular attender at all the local Masses and functions, and actively contributed to the life of the Order.

Representatives of both the Augustinian and Carmelite Orders led Julia’s funeral service. For many decades, both Orders had a very significant connection with Julia specifically, and with the Lane family.

The Order in Queensland is all the richer for having her as a member.

Fr Peter also launched an initiative to establish an organisation for preReformation orders in Australia (Benedictines, Cistercians, Franciscans, Augustinians, Carmelites, Dominicans, etc.) He participated in two general chapters of international assemblies of the Dominican Order, held in Naples, Italy, in 1974 and Walberberg, Germany in 1980.

Fr Peter possessed refinement of character, wide educational and cultural interests, sparkling conversation, urbanity, a lively sense of humour, and a driving commitment to preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

One who knew him well from Brisbane days describes Fr Peter as “a beautiful Christian gentleman”. His poor health in the later period of his life was met with great patience and without complaint. It gave him the capacity to empathise with others in their suffering. Fr Peter was always ready to offer generous help and support.

Fr Peter attended many gatherings of the Order in Australia and was a muchloved Magistral Chaplain, mourned by his Confreres after his death on 5 January, 2018. May his soul rest in peace.

KEVIN JOHN CROAGH AO KMG (1929 – 2018)

Confrere Kevin John Croagh AO (Ob) was born on 19 July 1929. He married Katherine Anne (Kate) Donovan on 2 February 1956 and passed to eternal life on 3 May 2018.

Kevin and Kate had eight children and found their greatest happiness in the company of each other, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

After a successful business career, Kevin was recognised in his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1992 for services including Managing Director of Vulcan Australia from 1978 to 1987.

Kevin accepted a number of charitable directorships including at Mercy Health and Aged Care from 1988 to 1999. He was President of the Australian Chamber of Manufactures from 1990 to 1992, and President of the Peninsula Golf Club from 1999 to 2001.

Kevin was made a Knight of Magistral Grace in the Order of Malta in 1985 and served as Vice-President of the Order on the Executive Council of the Australian Association.

He was Chair of the Association’s Victorian Branch, arising from the absence on service as Governor of Victoria of the Hon Sir James Gobbo AC CVO.

DR TERENCE FARRELL KMG (1940 – 2018)

Kevin was admitted to make the Promise in Obedience by the then Australian President HE A J Macken at Newman College Chapel by authority of HMEH the Prince and Grand Master Frá Andrew Bertie on 27 August 2006. He was thereby qualified to become a Foundation Member of the Australian Subpriory of the Immaculate Conception on its creation by Sovereign Council on 27 January 2007.

Kevin performed his greatest service as leader of the Order of Malta’s working group to form the Eastern Palliative Care (EPC) in 1998. He established a wonderful spirit of mutual trust, confidence and comradeship among participants, and was unanimously named as Foundation Member of the Committee of Management of EPC on its registration on 14 August 1998, the Vigil of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. EPC has since grown from strength to strength on this foundation.

His many friends pray that Kevin’s great-hearted soul will rest now in peace. May his beloved Kate and extended family find comfort in the respect and affection in which Kevin is fondly remembered.

Confrere Dr Terence (Terry) James Farrell was born in Townsville on 26 October 1940. The youngest of four siblings, he was schooled at the local Christian Brothers College. After a short term as an articled clerk, he studied medicine at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1966. In that year he also served as President of Union College.

Terry’s time at university was not only academically fruitful. While there he met Rita Kettle, a country girl and science student to whom he was married on 17 December 1966. The first of their six children arrived in August 1969.

After obtaining fellowships of both the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Terry conducted private practice as a urologist in Brisbane until his retirement in 2012.

Terry was a man of deep faith and robust personal conviction. Widely read, and quick witted, he was fearless in defending his Faith. He remained a man of great humility, who rejected pretension. Terry saw something valuable in every person he met and judged only ideas, never people. He had a particular lifelong personal devotion to Our Lady. Even before he joined the Order, Terry’s life very much reflected its maxim, Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum.

Along with Rita, Terry was invested into the Order in Adelaide in 1999. The experience was one of great personal significance for him, not only because of the spiritual graces received, but also by reason of his deep appreciation and understanding of the history and charism of the Order.

Terry was a particularly staunch supporter of the Brisbane Oratory in Formation, situated in Annerley. Terry and Rita attended Mass there each week and, occasionally, when able, the Latin Mass, which gave him particular pleasure.

Confrere Terry passed into Eternal Life on 13 October 2018 after a period of illness. In the company of his wife and children, his final weeks were filled with prayer and good humour. A Requiem Mass was celebrated on 19 October 2018 at Mary Immaculate Church by Rev Fr Scott Armstrong, with the Rev Bp Ken Howell, Conventual Chaplain. Many members of the Order were in attendance, including the President. The following day Terry was laid to rest at Canungra Cemetery, a short distance from the family farm that he so enjoyed during his life.